Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders

On 17th August 1793, Allan Cameron of Erracht was granted the Letter of Service which authorised him to raise the 79th Regiment of Foot. During the years of the Napoleonic Wars the regiment gained 10 Battle Honours, and it’s 11th was gained on the field at Waterloo. During the remainder of the 19th century the 79th served throughout the Empire. In 1873 Queen Victoria commanded that the regiment should be designated “The 79th Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders”. During the reforms of 1881 they avoided being amalgamated with another regiment, and after a 2nd Bn. was raised in 1897 it continued to serve the Crown until the amalgamation with the 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders on 7th February 1961, to form the 1st Bn. Queen’s Own Highlanders, during which time four men of the regiment had been awarded the highest accolade the Victoria Cross.